The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has stated that the Nigerian Army is pooling all available resources and harnessing technology to effectively tackle security challenges in the country.
Shaibu stated this on Tuesday when he paid courtesy visits to former Heads of State, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as Governor Muhammed Umaru Bago of Niger State, where he reaffirmed the commitment of Nigerian Army to operational excellence, enhanced security and collaboration with state governments and national leaders.
He emphasized the strategic importance of Niger State’s vast landmass, while highlighting the ongoing initiatives by the Nigerian Army to strengthen training, doctrine and operational readiness across formations, as well as the exercises being conducted across Army training institutions, aimed at ensuring personnel receive practical and mission-oriented training.
“These exercises also help evaluate the operational disposition of combat units and identify gaps that may require additional troops or the establishment of new formations”, he said.
The COAS also highlighted operational visits to the 31st, 11th and 18th Brigades in Bida, aimed at assessing operational gaps and providing resources to curb recent insecurity in the state.
In their responses, both General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar welcomed the COAS, praising his dedication, expertise and visionary leadership and commending the Nigerian Army for maintaining high standards of professionalism and operational excellence.
Both former leaders congratulated the COAS on his assumption of duty and prayed for courage, wisdom, and sustained success in leading the Army through contemporary security challenges.
Representing Governor Bago, Deputy Governor, Dr Yakubu, welcomed the COAS to Niger State and commended the Army’s proactive support in addressing security issues. He highlighted ongoing challenges in the state and expressed confidence that the partnership with the Nigerian Army would restore peace and stability.
